Rumors of paganism, rulings of judges, and restrictions for kings are among the topics of Deuteronomy 17. Of special interest are the regulations the Law placed over the monarchy, especially since there was no King in Israel at this time and there wouldn't be one for over four hundred years. Moses, however, looking forward through time, knew that eventually the people would desire to be like other nations, and men would reign in Israel, so the Lawgiver sought to rein in potential abuses and ground the Monarch in righteousness.